Close-ups

FILMS OPENING THIS WEEKEND

An interesting blend of conventional plot elements and unconventional storytelling – the story being about Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a lost soul searching for his true love, and apathetic Summer (Zooey Daschenel), who doesn't believe in love or relationships. (Donna P. Crilly). Rated PG-13; 1 hr., 35 min.

“HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE” 1/2

In the “Harry Potter” continuum this is a sturdy addition, laying the groundwork for the concluding films (sliced in two from the final novel). As a stand-alone entertainment, however, “Half-Blood” lurches between dizzying and dry – it's half-bloodless. (Zachary Woodruff). Rated PG; 2 hr., 33 min.

“JULIA”

Tilda Swinton gives a brash and unflinching performance as a lonely, self-destructive alcoholic who makes some questionable choices, to say the least. And in doing so, she and French writer-director Erick Zonca ask that we go along and stick by her side, every treacherous step of the way. (Christy Lemire, Associated Press). Rated R; 2 hr., 18 min.

“9.99”

How much is the meaning of life worth? Would you believe $9.99? That's how much Dave (voice of Samuel Johnson) pays for a mail-order booklet that promises to reveal life's secrets – all six of them – in filmmaker Tatia Rosenthal's feature debut, a charming, poetic and at times surreal stop-motion animation co-written with Etgar Keret and based on the Israeli writer's short stories. (Michael O'Sullivan, The Washington Post). Rated R; 1 hr., 18 min.

“THE STONING OF SORAYA M.”

A disturbing film about a rural Iranian woman stoned to death for adultery during the reign of Ayatollah Khomeini. It's an old-fashioned melodrama that climaxes with modern graphic violence, a horrific and harrowing film sure to inflame passions and stoke outrage. (Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel). Rated R; 1 hr., 56 min.

AVAILABLE ON DVD THIS WEEK

“The Edge of Love” In John Maybury's speculative investigation of the romantic entanglements of poet Dylan Thomas, Keira Knightley plays Vera Phillips, Thomas' real-life childhood friend from Wales. As the film opens, the two re-connect during the London blitz, when Dylan (Matthew Rhys) is writing British propaganda copy and Vera is crooning in tube stations turned into makeshift cabarets. For a moment it looks like the obvious spark between them will ignite into something more, when up pops Dylan's fiery Irish wife, Caitlin (Sienna Miller), and the three embark on a by turns passionate and toxic menage a trois. Unrated.

“The Haunting in Connecticut” Virginia Madsen plays Sara, whose teen-age son, Matt (Kyle Gallner), has a life-threatening illness. She moves the family to an old house near the hospital where Matt is treated. He immediately starts seeing dead people and worse in the house and becomes detached and obsessed. A cleric (Elias Koteas) helps Matt reveal the secret behind the haunting. Solid acting and handsomely realized effects depicting ghostly visions and visitations make this a chilling occult tale. Rated PG-13.